Vaccination frequency in people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

Infections are discussed as risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) development and relapses. This may lead to decreased vaccination frequency in newly diagnosed patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of MS diagnosis to subsequent vaccination frequency.

Based on German ambulatory claims data from 2005 to 2019, regression models were used to assess the relation of MS diagnosis (n = 12,270) to vaccination. A cohort of patients with MS was compared to control cohorts with Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and without these autoimmune diseases (total n = 198,126) in the 5 years after and before diagnosis.

Patients with MS were less likely to be vaccinated compared to persons without the autoimmune diseases 5 years after diagnosis (odds ratio = 0.91, p < 0.001). Exceptions were vaccinations against influenza (1.29, p < 0.001) and pneumococci (1.41, p < 0.001). Differences were strong but less pronounced after than before diagnosis (p < 0.001). The likelihood of vaccination was also lower compared to patients with Crohn's disease or psoriasis.

Patients with MS were not adequately vaccinated despite guideline recommendations. Increasing awareness about the importance of vaccination is warranted to reduce the risk of infection, in particular, in patients with MS receiving immunotherapies.